Happy Single Father's Day!

Salute Celebrity Single Dads on Fathers Day!!

In honor of father’s day I wanted to take a look at the famous fathers of the world. There are a lot of great dads in the celebrity world, but one sector that constantly gets overlooked is the single dads. All of these hard working men raise their children alone, therefore lets salute these parents.

 

 

Omoye Assata Lynn is rapper Common’s 13 year old daughter. Anyone who is a fan of Common knows he talks about her in a lot of his music. “My daughter found Nemo, I found the new Premo”

[lastfm]JAMIE FOXX[/lastfm]

This Oscar-winning actor and musician constantly puts is 15-year-old daughter Corrine first. In an interview with Ventana magazine, he was quoted saying “I want to be a man who shows up for her, I want to have such a big influence on her so that she knows she can call on me for anything—which she does”

 

This rocker has raised daughter Zoe to take after him, in talent, style and in good looks. Zoe models for Vera Wang’s Rock Princess perfume and has a burgeoning acting career under her belt. Talent runs through the Kravitz blood.

 

Despite his sexual orientation, Ricky Martin is proud of his two adapted sons Valentino and Matteo.

 

DWYANE WADE

Even with all the drama between him and his estranged wife Siohvaughn, Miami Heat star D-Wade sets his priorities straight, making his two sons Ziare and Zion first in his life.

And congratulations to all the single fathers, and all fathers, out there. Keep up the amazing work!

 

Information from:

http://ksfm.cbslocal.com/2010/06/20/salute-celebrity-single-dads-on-fathers-day/

Happy Single Celebrity Moms

10 famous single moms throughout history

Posted on July 27th, 2011 by Alley Pezanoski-Browne

It’s hard being a single mom and easy to feel alone sometimes. But the fact is, there are lots of single moms in America - an estimated 13.7 million single parents in the U.S. who are raising 21.8 million children. 82.6% of single parents are mothers.
And there have been many famous single moms throughout history, proving on a large scale what lots of women prove every day: strong moms change the world! Here are only a few examples of awesome single moms in history:

1. Toni Morrison Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, editor, and professor who wrote the books Song of Solomon, The Bluest Eye, and Beloved, amongst many others. She divorced her husband in 1964, becoming a single parent to her children Harold and Slade.
2. Halle Berry is the first and only actress of African American descent to win an Academy Award for Best Actress. Berry is currently going through a messy custody battle with her ex, supermodel Gabriel Aubry. She is pictured often in tabloids with her daughter Nahla.
   
3. Katie Couric An American journalist and author, Katie Couric was the first solo female anchor of a weekday evening news program on one of the three traditional U.S. broadcast networks. Her husband passed away in 1998, and she is the mother of two daughters Ellie and Caroline.
4. Abigail Adams The wife of President John Adams, Abigail Adams was essentially a single mother because her husband’s duties required long periods of separation. Not only did she raise their five children, she also managed their farm, as well as John’s financial investments. Her oldest son, John Quincy, became a U.S. President like his father.
5. Coretta Scott King The widow of Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King was also an author, activist, and civil rights leader. After the assassination of her husband, she became a single mother to Yolanda, Martin Luther III, Dexter Scott, and Bernice.
6. Erykah Badu The “First Lady of Neo-Soul”, musician, producer, and actress Erykah Badu is also the single mother to Seven Sirius, Puma Sabti, and Mars Merkaba. She is in a relationship with rapper Jay Electronica, her boyfriend of 5 years and the father of Mars Merkaba.
7. Sofia Vergara Colombian actress, comedian, television host, model, and entrepreneur is most known in the U.S. from her role in the show Modern Family. She married then divorced her childhood sweetheart and is the single mother of a nineteen year old son Manolo.
8. St. Helena Augusta The earliest single mother on the list, Helena Augusta was the abandoned single mother of Emperor Constantine I, and changed the face of Christianity.
9. Jackie Kennedy Onassis, was the wife of 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy and served as the First Lady of the U.S. until 1961 when her husband was assassinated. She was a single mother to her children Caroline and John Jr. until she remarried Aristotle Onassis five years later. She was a successful book editor for the final two decades of her life.
10. Diane Keaton is an actress, producer, director, and screenwriter. Though she’s dated famous men like Woody Allen, Warren Beatty, and Al Pacino, she never married. At the age of 50, she decided to become a single mother and adopted her children Dexter and Duke.

Happy College

It is hard as a young adult trying to go to school and finding ways to afford it. As a single parent it is twice as hard. You want to think about yourself either trying to get back into school or still paying off loans, but now you have something more to look foward to and save for. Your child(ren)'s education. Here are some tips to help save money for education and the future.

Guide to college savings plans

Creating a plan for college ahead of time will save you both time and money.

1. Saving for your own retirement is more important than saving for college.

Your children will have more sources of money for college than you will have for your golden years, so don't sacrifice your retirement savings.

 

2. The sooner you start saving, the better.

Even modest savings can pack a punch if you give them enough time to grow. Investing just $100 a month for 18 years will yield $48,000, assuming an 8% average annual return.

 

3. Stocks are best for your college savings portfolio.

With tuition costs rising faster than inflation, a portfolio tilted toward stocks is the best way to build enough savings in the long term. As your child approaches college age, you can shelter your returns by switching more money into bonds and cash.

 

4. You don't have to save the entire cost of four years of college.

Federal, state, and private grants and loans can bridge the gap between your savings and tuition bills, even if you think you make too much to qualify.

 

5. With mutual funds, investing for college is simple.

Investing in mutual funds puts a professional in charge of your savings so that you don't have to watch the markets daily.

 

6. 529 savings plans are a good way to save for college and they offer great tax breaks.

Qualified withdrawals are now free of federal tax and most plans let you save in excess of $200,000 per beneficiary. Plus, there are no income limitations or age restrictions, which means you can start a 529 no matter how much you make or how old your beneficiary is.

 

7. Tax breaks are almost as good as grants.

You may be able to take two federal tax credits -- the American Opportunity Tax Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit -- in the years you pay tuition.

 

8. The approval process for college loans is more lenient than for other loans.

Late payments on your credit record aren't automatic grounds for refusal of a college loan.

 

9. Lenders can be flexible when it's time to repay.

There are still ways to cut costs after you graduate and begin repaying your student loans. For instance, there is often a one-quarter percentage point interest rate decrease if you set up automatic debit, in which monthly payments are automatically taken from your account.

 

10. Taxpayers with student loans get a tax break.

You may deduct the interest you pay up to $2,500 a year if your modified adjusted gross income is less than $70,000 if you're single or less than $145,000 if you're married filing jointly. The deduction can be taken for the life of the loan.

 

for the full article and more tips please visit http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/money101/lesson11/index.htm

 

Happy Summer Learning

7 Tips to Keep Kids Learning Over the Summer

By Deanna Glick

The extra time kids have over the summer can bring on more than boredom. According to the National Summer Learning Association, students can lose just over two months’ worth of smarts during the summer months.The good news is, this doesn't have to happen! It’s easier than you think to make time for plenty of fun and freedom as well as learning opportunities for your kids. Explore new ways of learning and stockpile a variety of ideas for activities that can be done indoors or out depending on the weather and what your kid feels like doing.Here are some tips and activities can keep your child’s brain firing on all neurons during the summer months while having fun, too:

• Get outdoors, and indoors! Nice days are made for a science experiment in the back yard, or a challenging obstacle course in the pool that works body and brain muscles. Rainy or hot days offer a chance to dig into some educational games or log valuable reading time. Be prepared to employ some motivation strategies.
• Use technology with a purpose. Technology can provide fabulous alternative tools and inspiration, too. K¹² mobile apps for various reading levels can offer a nice change from turning pages. Children can read and listen to illustrated versions of classic stories, poems, and plays such as Little Red Riding Hood, The Wheels on the Bus, and Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, and Humpty Dumpty.
• Go beyond your yard! Don't forget about all of the great learning opportunities that your local community has to offer. Getting out of the house can inspire all sorts of ways to learn new things. Museums, new towns, libraries, parks and other fun and interesting places offer ample opportunity to explore cultures, history, geography and art.
  
• The meaning of money. Consider helping kids understand the value of allowance money and employ math skills needed to get through life more profitably. Summertime affords myriad opportunities for kids to start a small business, such as a lemonade stand, lawn mowing or dog walking. Profits will likely drive enthusiasm for learning how to manage a budget and communicate with customers.
• The value of a helping hand. Tying volunteerism to a child’s interests also affords a chance to learn new and valuable skills, not to mention it will keep her active and productive over the summer. Organizations devoted to causes such as animals, our natural environment, faith and art are often happy to have young people willing to help out.
• Learning is tastey. During the school year, kids can become too busy to develop important life skills, such as cooking family meals. This activity can become a fun and challenging series of math lessons. From establishing a shopping budget to measuring ingredients and using multiplication for recipes, kids will learn the importance of correct calculations and take another step closer to independence.
• Don't be afraid of a little structure. If your child needs more structure, summer school courses can offer the chance to catch up, get ahead, try a new language, or explore exciting electives so that they can start the next school year strong. K¹² offers a variety of affordable online courses specifically designed for the summer months. Options include courses to prepare for the transition from middle to high school, master a world language or get inspired with career-building electives or personal enrichment courses, including Computer Literacy, Web Design, and Skills for Health.
  

Remember, summer is your child’s chance to rest and rejuvenate, so it’s important to stay flexible when it comes to inspiring kids to continue learning. Lori Beverage, K¹²’s senior manager of national community and family support and mother of five offers these words of encouragement: “Remember, anything that sparks imagination and thinking results in learning.”

Deanna Glick is a senior writer for K¹². She has nearly two decades of experience as a journalist covering many topics, including education, youth and family issues. Deanna has also served as a volunteer and staff member for children's school-based nonprofit organizations. For more information about K¹²'s tuition-free, online public schools in 32 states and D.C., plus its three private schools, please visit the K¹² website.

Happy Sitter

At some point, you'll need to leave your baby -- whether that's at the end of your maternity leave or working or for a fun daytrip with your friends for stay-at-homers. What are your childcare plans? Figure out your childcare options before determining which solution is right for your child(ren).

8 Tips for Choosing Child Care

By Laura Broadwell from American Baby

Whether you choose a formal child-care center, family day care, or in-home care, there are some basic things you should know and insist upon. To help you make this all-important decision, we've talked to mothers and other experts who have been in the child-care trenches. Here are eight ways to size up a child-care option:

1. Look down. When you're visiting a potential site, pay attention to how the staff interacts with the children. Ideally, a caregiver should be on the floor playing with the kids or holding one on her lap. In their early years, babies need close, loving, interactive relationships with adults in order to thrive. That's why it's especially important that babies' first caregivers be warm and responsive, and that even in group care, infants and older babies get a healthy dose of one-on-one time. (Though individual states set their own staffing ratios for child-care facilities, the American Academy of Pediatrics specifically recommends a ratio of one adult for every three babies up to 24 months of age.)

2. Ask for a commitment. Babies need consistent, predictable care. It helps them to form a secure attachment to their caregivers, according to Debra K. Shatoff, a family therapist in private practice in St. Louis. If you're looking at an in-home caregiver, request that the person you're considering make a one-year commitment to the job. If you're considering a center, find out how long the current caregivers have been working there and how much turnover the center usually experiences.

3. Do a policy check. Find out whether you share parenting philosophies on topics such as discipline (Do the caregivers use time-outs, scoldings?); television (Is the TV on all day or used sparingly, if at all?); feeding (What snacks or drinks are provided for older babies?); sleeping (When are naps offered? How are fussy babies put to sleep?); and so forth. Inquire about the sick-child policy (What symptoms prevent a child from attending?). Also ask whether there's a backup plan should the family day-care provider or in-home caregiver get sick and be unable to work. The more questions you ask early on, the less likely you are to be unpleasantly surprised later.

4. Drop by and spy. While word-of-mouth referrals from other parents or trusted resources are important, you need to look at a place for yourself to assess whether it meets your needs. Of course, any child-care environment should be kept clean, childproofed, and well stocked with sturdy books and toys that are age-appropriate. Other details to consider: When older children share the space, toys with small parts (choking hazards) should be kept away from younger babies. Ideally, infants and babies should have their own area where they won't get "loved" too much by older toddlers. A room or separate area dedicated solely to swings and bouncers may look appealing at first glance, but keep in mind that growing babies need plenty of floor time to develop and strengthen their muscles. If possible, try to visit the same centers at different times of the day to get a sense of how the staff interacts with the children and what the routine is. You may want to consider popping in unannounced a few times after you've enrolled your child, just to see how things are going. Sometimes your visits will confirm that the place is right for you, but sometimes they'll be a real eye-opener.
5. Keep talking. Until your baby can talk, you will be relying on what the caregiver tells you about your child's day. Make sure you can communicate comfortably with each other. When you first hand off your child in the morning, you should tell the caregiver how your little one slept the night before, if he is teething, and whether he ate breakfast. At the end of the day you'll want to know similar information, such as the number of diapers he went through, when he napped, and if he seemed happy overall. It's always preferable to speak to the caregiver in person. If that's not possible, ask if there's a convenient time to phone, perhaps at nap time.

6. Problem-solve pronto. It's inevitable that you'll experience conflicts with your caregiver, both large and small. Address problems right away rather than ignoring them until they grow out of proportion. Some issues can be resolved quickly; others may require more discussion. Whatever the conflict, treat the caregiver in a respectful manner, but don't be afraid to speak up, says Deborah Borchers, MD, a pediatrician in private practice in Cincinnati. When broaching a difficult subject, ask the caregiver's opinion, and hear her out. As the parent, you have the final word with an in-home caregiver, but you're more likely to elicit cooperation if the caregiver knows she has been heard. For example, instead of demanding an earlier nap time to make bedtime easier, ask the caregiver if she has ideas about how to adjust your baby's schedule so he won't grow so overtired in the evening.

7. Trust your gut. Every parent knows when something doesn't feel quite right. You may be turned off by a center everyone in town raves about or clash with a highly recommended sitter. If that happens, keep searching. Babies deserve, and thrive under, good, nurturing care. If something just doesn't feel right about your situation, investigate other options.

8. Be open to change. You're not married to a particular person or situation, and if things don't work out, you can always make a switch. Yes, you want consistency for your baby, but that doesn't mean you can't alter arrangements. Babies are resilient; as long as they're having a positive experience with their new caregiver, they'll be just fine, points out Dr. Shatoff.

No matter what your work hours, you are still your child's essential caregiver -- the most consistent source of love and support in her life. Under your care and guidance, along with the help of your well-chosen caregivers, your baby will flourish and grow into a happy, healthy child.

Happy Blended Family

One day you might possibly find that ONE. Before you do here are some different ways that your family might be blended and tips to help make that transition easier for everyone.

Blended Families

by Natalie Nichols Gillespie

 

Statistics show that "approximately one-third of all weddings in America today form stepfamilies."¹

A look at different types of stepfamilies can highlight the unique challenges each stepfamily may encounter.

Portrait no. 1: Husband with children marries never-married, no-kids wife.

Dads who remarry often expect their new brides to assume a similar role to their former wife. The new wife, on the contrary, steps into the marriage ready for romance and quality time together as a couple. Instantly filling the role of wife is challenge enough; being interim Mom is often overwhelming. Wives in this situation often feel frustration and disillusionment when they are handed someone else's kids to care for (and the kids don't like it, either!).
In this scenario, Dad must step up to the plate and handle the disciplining of his children to avoid conflict with his new wife. He should also teach the kids to treat their stepmom with respect and talk through (or even write down) household duties with his new wife until a fair arrangement is reached.

Portrait no. 2: Wife with children marries no-kids husband.

Entering this marriage, Mom's relief at having a new partner in life might result in her handing off too many responsibilities to her new husband. The kids, then, usually will rebel. They have a dad (or had one); they don't think they need a new one. Tread lightly with any stepparent administering discipline. Biological parents are the ones who should handle rules and punishments, at least initially.
This couple needs to bond and show solidarity to the children. The wife must be careful not to shut out her new husband in favor of her children. Avoid inside jokes with the kids and subtle put-downs that would cause the kids to disregard their new stepfather altogether. There is a fine line between handling the discipline and devaluing the husband's position in the home. Require children to show the same respect for their stepdad that they would any teacher, law enforcement officer, or other adult in authority. Don't try to force love.

Portrait no. 3: Divorced mom with kids marries divorced dad with kids.

This type of stepfamily may seem to come with the most hurdles to overcome initially, but has potential to be the most successful makeup because Mom and Dad are motivated to pull together for the kids. Kids, however, experience the most loss when their parent marries someone with children. Access to their biological parent must now be shared by not just the new spouse but also by other children. Their physical space is shared with a stepparent and stepsiblings. New cities, new home, new school and new roommate are also common changes when families join. And, some children must face the end of their dream of their parents reuniting.
The first two years in any stepfamily, but especially this type, are crucial. Expect conflict and extend grace — lots of it. There will be different relationships between members of this type of stepfamily, different levels of intimacy, connection, and love between stepsiblings and between children and stepparents. Don't worry; that's normal.

Portrait no. 4: Widow or widower with kids remarries.

When a family experiences the loss of a beloved spouse and parent, the new spouse/stepparent will inevitably confront the “ghosts of family past.” On some level, grieving continues for years after the death of a spouse.
This stepfamily needs to make sure it is taking steps to heal from their grief in order for the new family to unite. Rather than trying to assume a parental role, the successful stepparent in this situation will step into the role of friend and mentor. Family members can honor their loved one with photographs and memories, but erecting a shrine and idolizing their past prevents intimacy with the new spouse and stepparent. Establishing common ground and moving forward together is difficult but possible.

Portrait no. 5: Divorced or widowed parents of adult children marry.

Even if the children have left the nest, remarried couples with children still qualify as stepfamilies. Due to a lack of daily interactions, bonding and connecting may be more difficult. Many relationships will be strained for years or may never achieve any level of intimacy. Stepparents and stepchildren can make an effort to connect through cards, letters, phone calls, emails and family get-togethers.
Unique issues to this stepfamily may include establishing healthy grandparenting relationships and inheritance tension. Family fears can be alleviated by communication and a welcoming love. Distributing family keepsakes ahead of time or deciding how you will distribute your property can ease some of the tensions related to inheritance.
No matter what type of stepfamily yours may fall under, with the right resources and the help of God, family, and friends, your stepfamily can find encouragement and hope.

Happy Dating

If you feel anxious about not being in a relationship, it may be time to adopt a whole new attitude toward single parent dating. Consider how these small changes could alter your perspective and help you enjoy the full, rich life you deserve. Keep in mind, too, that these bits of single parent dating advice aren't just about find "the" relationship. It's also about the importance of timing and self-care.    

New Ways of Thinking About Single Parent Dating Relationships

By Jennifer Wolf, About.com Guide

1. Focus on expanding your social circle instead of "finding a mate."
   
   Change your definition of what it means to have an active social life. When you focus on finding "the one," you're bound to put a lot of pressure on yourself. This can have two negative effects: First, it can cause you to make poor decisions; and, second, it can lead to unnecessary disappointment with an otherwise fulfilling life.
   
   When you place your attention on expanding your social circle, though, you free yourself from that pressure. This enables you to focus on friendships and being with people who lift you up and bring joy to your life.
2. Make your social life part of your self-care plan.
   
   To say you are "extremely busy" working and raising your children is an understatement. In fact, you may even feel like you just don't have time to date. If that's the case, I'd encourage you to think of socializing as part of taking care of yourself. You deserve to get out now and then. Spending some time away from your home and work responsibilities can be a refreshing part of honoring who you are and getting to know yourself again. Rather than feeling guilty about social engagements, view them as a part of your personal self-care plan.
3. Build each potential relationship on friendship, not just attraction.
   
   Chances are, you pretty much know immediately whether you are attracted to someone or not. Rather than allowing only physical attraction to define your relationship, though, focus on really getting to know one another and exploring your common interests. This may require discipline and even some restraint. However, taking the time to get to know someone as a friend will allow you to see their best and worst qualities with clarity and make objective decisions about the potential of your relationship.
4. Be bold.
   
   Take some risks. If you have serious hopes about enjoying a meaningful single parent dating relationship, you're going to have to do some things you might not ordinarily do, in order to maximize your social opportunities. For some people this means being bold enough to initiate a conversation while standing in the checkout line. For others, it means going back to church, signing up with an online dating service, or putting the word "out" among friends that you'd like you find someone. Certainly you should never do something that makes you uncomfortable or that compromise your integrity. However, taking small risks that place you just outside your comfort zone can put you in a good position to meet many new and interesting people.
5. You are worth waiting for the right relationship.
   
   Finally, don't compromise. You're not looking for someone who treats you well "most" of the time, makes you feel "somewhat" important, or has "a little bit" of respect for the work you do in the world. You are worth more than that, so don't compromise yourself when you begin a new relationship or follow the latest single parent dating advice from a friend. If you haven't believed in yourself up until now, then this is the time to throw away your old thinking habits and adopt a new attitude concerning your worth as a friend, a dating companion, and potentially as a mate.

Please visit Sheila Johnson's blogsite Relationships on more advice and insight on Happy Dating.